A TIME OF REFLECTION

Isolation… lockdown… whatever you want to call it!

We’re still in the midst of the firm grasp that the Coronavirus has over us globally. I’m certainly one of the many adhering to government guidance on social distancing. Hell, I’ve got to be…. it’s a bit too close to home now and I’ve got family and friends to protect!

I’ve recently spoken with friends currently working in ITU departments… I see the fear as they continue to tackle this pandemic head on; away from the arms of their families, the comfort of their homes!

In that respect I certainly got off light, although working in the unit I do has brung its own challenges.

Deferring treatments for one reason or another; stopping treatments; having very hard conversations with patients; seeing a reduction in treatment referrals coming through; scheduling those patients that are carrying on just so that they have as minimal contact with one another as possible … yep, in the very hard world of Oncology Nursing, the shit storm has only just begun! Very soon more referrals will come through; rescheduling treatment to get back on track as well as adding in the new patients, catching up on scans needed…

So far, 2020 can just go and do one really!

Anyways, as I said, at times I’ve been able to reflect lately….

I’ve been blessed with the time I’ve been able to have with my beautiful son lately. He’s become a bit obsessed with his balance bike too; his enjoyment of the “broom brooms” as he calls it is increasing; he knows he should be in his normal spot on the 3rd bend and thankfully doesn’t understand why he isn’t! Best thing really…… how do you explain it to an adult, let alone a 5 year old?

His need for speed got me thinking about my all time 1-7 that I could put together from years gone by… and I’ve seen a lot of meetings with our beloved Black and Gold all over this country in the last 20 years!

I could name the whole team of 2002.. those actually going at that time will know why……. we went away…… we were a team to be feared….. we handed out huge defeats at home….. the laughs and memories we made on the road (many that certainly can’t be put on here!)……. the end of season party that year……. or actually the day after is probably the only time I was ready to bring up the contents of my stomach such was the alcohol consumed. Ooops!

I could name our 2008 team; our 2010 team; our 2012 and our 2014 team……

But for me, and you could disagree with me all you like, for the sheer joy it brought to my life — I have to name my favourite Bandits’ 1-7 as the entire team of 2005……

Adrian Rymel, Adam Pietraszko, Tom P Madsen, Scott Smith, Michal Makovsky, Carl Wilkinson & Chris Schramm!

That team took us so agonisingly close to a league title…… it took us so so close to a KO Cup final…… we won 7 away league matches that season….. we came within a point of a win at Kings Lynn (it should have been ours apart from a very, very dodgy decision that swung it in heat 14)…… downright robbed of a win at Newport….. losing a 5-1 in the last heat at Newcastle to lose 47-43…… when I think of how close we came……. and the joy my-now husband takes in reminding me it was his team that pipped us…….

I smile because of the memories anyways……. because reflections, memories and thinking positively will get us through this awful time in which we currently find ourselves!

From myself, and I’m sure all the other bloggers, continue to stay safe folks……. please don’t be one of the numpties flouting government guidance…….. stay in…….. protect the NHS service I very proudly work for…… and hopefully we’ll get time to meet up later this year, and start to see some form of normality return!

Adois, Banditos!
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Feeling brave? Share your opinions and/or vent your wrath with Sarah at: berwicks_b1tch@hotmail.co.uk